Ryder shows no signs of slowing down. Having already racked up over 10 million plays on Youtube and charting at #10 on the Spotify Viral Chart with her track “Ruins”, the songstress is back with her new single “Nirvana”.
A truly modern pop star, the track highlights Ryder’s stunning vocal melodies over swirling synth sounds. Inspired by performing in choirs as a young child, Ryder describes how she incorporated classical elements into “Nirvana”, “The hauntingly beautiful melodies and harmonic layers from those genres are inspiring motifs I try to constantly incorporate in my music wherever I can. “Nirvana” to me is a blend of classical melodic moments with contemporary pop music.”
Constantly growing as an artist, Ryder is spreading her creative wings, producing material that is establishing her as one to watch. We had a chat with the rising star to find out more about her.
Was being a singer always in your plans?
Yes, I remember deciding boldly at the age of just 3 that I wanted to sing, and I have never looked back.
You’re from New York. Has growing up in the Big Apple had an influence on your music?
New York is such a lively, diverse place, there’s literally inspiration on every corner. It’s also extremely multi-cultural, which has greatly influenced my style, from the music and track sounds to the visual and stylistic aspects of what I do. A lot of my lyrics are very visual, and that’s probably related in some way to really taking in the colorful world around me: I always pay very close attention to detail, and that carries over into my songwriting. I like to really paint the picture. As a New Yorker, you experience such a fast-paced existence: I saw a lot very early in life, without much sugar-coating. People are fiercely frank, perhaps too honest sometimes, like there’s truth serum in the water… For those that know me, that is very much how I am as a person and in my art. I try to be as authentic and honest as I can be, I just can’t help myself.
Your tracks have millions of plays online and and have been featured on Spotify’s Viral Chart and Hype Machine’s Top Ten. How does it feel getting such a crazy good reaction to your music?
It’s been really rewarding for me, honestly. As an independent artist, there can be a stigma that – because you’re not signed to a label – somehow that says something about your talent. I can tell you from experience it really doesn’t. When it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is the listener’s reaction. The record industry is able to stay alive because of people around the world who love and share music. I came to a point where I had to stop listening to what everyone else was saying and decided to put myself out there with no label and be vulnerable just for myself, to see what would happen. To see the immediate and continued reaction to my work is something that fuels every part of me, and just makes me want to get back in the studio everyday.
You have been compared to icons like Bjork, Florence, Sia and M.I.A. How would you personally describe your sound?
Well, first off, I’m truly honored to have comparisons to anyone in that crew. I guess I would describe my soundscape as a mixture of many things, I try not to pigeonhole myself too much. The truth is I’ve been influenced by almost every genre of music from, classical to pop to hip hop. I love people who create their own lanes, daring to be unique, and in addition to that I want every song to feel like its own experience and still be relatable. You could say I’m a bit left of centre, but I like to always land somewhere that feels like centre to me. I’m also a huge fantasy nerd, so I like to have ethereal moments throughout my songs, whether that be in terms of the concept, the lyrics or production wise.